REVEALED: Clonmel Junction Arts Festival launches registration for inaugural Plein Air

With the Suir Blueway running through it and built against the stunning backdrop of the Comeragh mountains, Clonmel in County Tipperary awaits your discovery during Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s inaugural Plein Air on 4th and 5th July 2026.

Also within easy reach of the rich scenery and oustanding OPW sites in Carrick, Cahir and Cashel, Clonmel Junction Arts Festival invites artists to join them for the festival’s first Plein Air - and enjoy the hospitality and cultural programme that the 2026 Clonmel Junction Arts Festival offers.

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Registration for the weekend’s Plein Air is now open on the festival website www.junctionfestival.com with full listings of what to expect, accommodation links, details about the exhibition at linn gallery, and prizes kindly sponsored by Artisan Frames and The Narrow Space.

Rebecca Lenehan, Artistic Director of Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, says:
“We’re really excited about bringing a Plein Air to Clonmel as part of our 2026 programme – the idea was suggested to me by several local artists, and it has developed into a collaboration between local artists and Plein Air enthusiasts, the linn gallery, The Narrow Space and Artisan Frames.”

“The town of Clonmel itself has wonderful built heritage with views of the Comeragh mountains, the Suir and surrounding countryside. Within an easy drive more spectacular viewpoints open to visitors and local artists alike such as St Patrick’s Well, Knocklofty and Marlfield, not to mention the wonderful Suir Blueway which connects Carrick to Clonmel and Cahir.”

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s Plein Air will offer a wide choice of locations within easy reach of the town with Ormonde Castle in Carrick, Swiss Cottage and Cahir Castle and the Rock of Cashel all within a 30-minute drive.

As well as local hotel options, Clonmel also benefits from a centrally located Campervan Park, Suir Island Aire. The hidden gem is a 5-minute walk from the centre of town. See www.munstervales.com/en/plan-a-trip/clonmel-aire-campervan-site for further information.

Plein Air painting can be exhilarating but also challenging and the festival is aware that many budding artists may not have tried Plein Air before. So, in the lead up to the festival, artist Marine Kearney will facilitate a ‘How to Plein Air’ workshop in Clonmel on Saturday 4

th April - a morning of practical advice for artists who are interested in dipping into the wonderful world of Plein Air. Marine will take you through the basics from what to bring to what happens if it rains.

Tickets for Marine’s workshop cost €25 and can be booked at www.junctionfestival.com (with a limited number of places available).

Once registered, participants have the option to book workshops during the Plein Air itself on Saturday 4

th July with Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year in 2025 Kieran

Guckian or Tipperary artist Jacqueline Gartlan.

In his workshop Kieran will focus on sharing his painting process in acrylics, from subject choice and compositions to finding realism through colour and values. Suited to those with some Plein Air experience, Kieran will demo his technique as well as working one on one with all participants between demo stages.

Tickets for Kieran’s workshop cost €40 and can be booked at junctionfestival.com (once registered for the Plein Air, with a limited number of places available).

Jacqueline is an oil painter, living and working from her home studio in Marlfield, Clonmel. She specialises in fine art, predominantly portraiture, still life and landscapes. An experienced teacher, Jacqueline will offer a workshop for those who are new to Plein Air but are experienced painters.

Tickets for Jacqueline’s workshop cost €25 and can be booked at junctionfestival.com (once registered for the Plein Air, with a limited number of places available).

“We’re looking forward to seeing the streets of Clonmel come alive with artists this July. Plein Air brings great energy and colour to a place, and we can’t wait to see the beautiful work that will be created in the stunning scenery of Clonmel and its surroundings,” says Rebecca.

The Plein Air will be held on Saturday, 4th and Sunday, 5th July 2026 and includes:

The Clonmel Junction Arts Festival’s Plein Air weekend promises an exciting programme for artists of all levels. Workshops are available for well-seasoned as well as beginner Plein Air participants, with an additional fee applying.

Attendees can take part in paint-outs in Clonmel, as well as in Carrick, Cashel and Cahir, and enjoy the opportunity to paint alongside other artists in Clonmel and other locations, including stunning OPW sites, all within a 30-minute drive.

The weekend also includes a pizza party with complimentary food in Gleeson’s, Irishtown (Clonmel) on Saturday 4th July, accompanied by live music.

A competition will take place with prizes awarded for Gold, Silver, Bronze and People’s Choice on Sunday, 5th July, with all entries to be received by 5 pm.

The Gold Prize winner will be offered an editioned print run of their painting and a framed copy of their work, up to a value of €500, kindly sponsored by Artisan Frames, while the People’s Choice Prize is sponsored by The Narrow Space.

An exhibition of the artworks will take place at linn gallery, 1st Floor, The Narrow Space, Mitchell St, Clonmel, E91 RW24, running from Tuesday 7th July to Saturday 5th September.

Participants will also have access to the hospitality and cultural programme for the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival.

For full details and to register, visit www.junctionfestival.com. Any questions can be directed to info@junctionfestival.com.

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